It was bad enough for Anaheim that their first two home games of their opening round series against the San Jose Sharks went the opponents’ way, but when the series moved to San Jose, things just got ugly after the first intermission. The two teams went into the locker room after the first period tied at a goal apiece, but then the Sharks went on a four-goal outburst — and then added three more goals in the third — to salt away an 8-1 shellacking. Now the teams return to SAP Center for Game Four, and the only real question is whether the Ducks will put up a spirited attempt to send the series back down the coast. Take a look at our NHL playoffs odds preview of this Western Conference tilt.
2018 NHL Playoffs Odds & Game 4 Pick: Anaheim at San Jose
When: Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 10:30pm ETWhere: SAP Center, San JoseTV: Golf NetworkRadio: KLAA 830 AM Anaheim / KUFX 98.5 FM San JoseLive Stream:NHL.tvNHL Playoffs Odds: San Jose -180
Why should you bet on the Ducks?
Only four teams in the National Hockey League have ever lost a seven-game series after taking the first three games, but the last team to do it was San Jose, four years ago in their opening round against the Los Angeles Kings. The Ducks are trying to shuffle their lineups, adding defenseman Andy Welinski in place of Kevin Bieksa and forward Jason Chimera in place of Antoine Vermette. You should expect Anaheim to come out with more focus on defense — and you might also expect San Jose to have a little less urgency, at least in the early going, thanks to that gargantuan 3-0 lead.
On the season, though, even though Anaheim finished ahead of San Jose in the Pacific Division standings, they only beat San Jose once in four tries, and that win came in overtime. The Sharks took all three of the other meetings in regulation. So if you like the Ducks here, you see the relaxation of the Sharks and the desperation of the Ducks combining to shift the dynamics. Given the way the Sharks have taken care of business against Anaheim all season, though, this is a difficult argument to make.
Why should you put your money on the Sharks?
The biggest number jumping out from the headlines from Game Three was the eight goals that the Sharks hung on Anaheim. However, another number that was just as impressive was the number 45 — the number of saves that Martin Jones, as the Ducks tried to use a legion of shots from the outside to get back into this game, and it just didn’t work. The Ducks would cram the zone, but then they would turn the puck over, and the Sharks used their speed advantage to set up odd-man rush after odd-man rush. When the Ducks responded with frustration, the Sharks took advantage with four power-play goals.
The elimination win is almost always the hardest win to pick up in a playoff series. However, neither goalie for the Ducks has been sharp. John Gibson permitted five goals on 24 shots in the first two periods, and then Ryan Miller came on in the third and permitted three goals on the power play. In all fairness, though, the Ducks’ defense was ridiculously sloppy in Game Three and will need to reset if they want to have a chance for a Game Five.
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
Finishing second in the Pacific Division is nothing to sneeze at, and the Anaheim Ducks should be proud of the season that they have played. However, they don’t have the speed to keep up with the San Jose Sharks, and with the backdrop of a frenzied Sharks fan base, I don’t see the Ducks coming away with a win, especially given the way things just unraveled for them in Game Three. I predict a final score of San Jose 4, Anaheim 2.
